The Weekly Tradecast by UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD)

5. A lesser degree: Why climate change matters

In our fifth episode of The Weekly Tradecast, we talk to economist and author Richard Kozul-Wright, UNCTAD's director of the globalization and development strategies division, about how we can reduce the negative effects of climate change.
Much of Europe has been seeing soaring temperatures and battling to control huge wildfires this summer. Scientists say the heatwave is consistent with the global impact of our changing environment.
Hundreds of millions of people around the world -- many in developing countries -- are suffering as extreme weather destroys crops, threatens development and makes entire areas unliveable.
Tune in to hear Richard on why climate change is not going away and why we must support developing countries with adaptation and mitigation to stop it from getting worse.
Download: UNCTAD's report on how to scale up climate action
Website: unctad.org

4. Uncertain recovery: Where’s investment going?

In this week's episode of The Weekly Tradecast, we talk to James Zhan, UNCTAD's director of investment and enterprise, about trends in foreign investment.
The UN's recent World Investment Report says the good news for development is that foreign direct investment recovered to pre-pandemic levels last year and generally benefited all regions.
But this year is not looking as promising, with food and fuel prices high and financing getting tighter.
James, who leads the team that produced the report, says everyone is feeling the pinch but we must help the poorest who are being hit the hardest.
Website: unctad.org/wir

3. Stormy waters: The maritime trade crisis

In the third episode of the Weekly Tradecast, Jan Hoffman, head of UNCTAD's trade logistics branch, talks about how the war in Ukraine has compounded severe strains on global supply chains from the COVID-19 pandemic.
More than 80% of goods move by sea. Space on ships is tight and the cost to transport a container has soared. Now, with the war in Ukraine, prices are rising for almost everything we consume. Jan helps us navigate the uncertainties around maritime trade and recommends some solutions.

2. Africa’s future: Why economies must diversify

In the second episode of the Weekly Tradecast, we talk to Paul Akiwumi, an UNCTAD director of the Africa, Least Developed Countries and Special Programme division. 
We’ll be looking at Africa, where soaring food and energy prices are hitting especially hard as the region struggles with the impact of the pandemic and climate change.
The continent of 1.4 billion people relies heavily on grain and other essentials from Ukraine and Russia – exposing them to shortages and crippling costs that imperil their development.   
Paul, who led the production of the UN’s latest Economic Development in Africa Report, says that to cope with this crisis and insulate itself for the future, Africa must rethink how it diversifies its economies to attract investment and narrow huge income gaps.

1. Going up: The human costs of rising prices

In the first episode of the Weekly Tradecast, UNCTAD Secretary-General Rebeca Grynspan talks about the global cost-of-living crisis triggered by the war in Ukraine and what can be done to help vulnerable countries and people who will suffer the most from rising food, energy and fertilizer prices.